Vale Lance 'Springer' Spaulding

Pictured above: Lance Spaulding at North Hobart Oval 13.11.2019

7.05.1960 – 28.02.2023

The sudden passing of Old Virgilian Lance Spaulding at the age of 62 sent shockwaves throughout the community. Lance was a larger than life personality and he had a positive effect on those who knew him and made an enormous contribution to Aussie Rules football in Tasmania and beyond.

Lance commenced his secondary education at Saints in 1972, having done his early schooling at Goulburn Street Primary. His  father, Junior, his brother,  Steven, and two of his children, Dane and Ryan, also attended St Virgil’s College. The Old Virgilians Association extends its deepest sympathy to Lance’s wife Mandy  and  the broader Spaulding family.

Football was his passion and he was fortunate to have Hobart great Neville Legro and the legendary Stuart Spencer as during his period at the College.  The 1977 SVC yearbook photo of the First XVIII is below and it also contained the following in the associated player profiles: -  Lance Spaulding: Team captain. A brilliant and explosive player. Lance was a sad loss when he broke his leg half way through the season.  He still managed to be second in the Best and Fairest (which was won by Peter Galligan). 

Lance had always been a strong supporter of the Sandy Bay Seagulls but he was residentially bound to the Hobart FC. Some considerable ‘wheeling and dealing’ had to be effected to get him in the blue and white colours.  No sooner had the clearance been obtained than he suffered the  aforementioned broken leg  and he was sidelined for the 1977 season.  His 1978 season was again very limited due to a serious shoulder injury.

However, by 1982 he had built his game to such level that State honours were inevitable.  He was to represent Tasmania on numerous occasions and play 200 senior games with his beloved Seagulls with a ‘best & fairest award’ coming his way in 1984.

In 1989, he played the early part of the season St Virgil’s Old Boys before returning to the Bay  where he reached the 200 game milestone in his final appearance.

In 1990 he returned to St Virgil’s as coach for three seasons, being narrowly pipped for a premiership in 1993 by University. During this period younger brother Steve coached the OVFC reserves.

This was to begin a long and successful coaching career with Sandy Bay, Hutchins Old Scholars, Clarence, Tasmanian Devils (in the VFL)  North Hobart, Hobart, and the Tassie Mariners in the NAB  U/18 competition. 

In 2018 he coached the Allies team (made up of players from NSW, Qld, ACT, NT and Tas) in the National U/18 Carnival. Lance was named AZLL Australian Assistant Coach – an outstanding achievement.

No retirement for Lance – he accepted the coaching position with Hutchins FC in 1990 and at the time of his passing the expectation was that he would be there again for the 2023.  His last game as a coach was a premiership game when Hutchins Lions defeated Dominic Roosters in the Southern Old Scholars Football Association Grand Final. 

Lance,who spent his working life in the supply and distribution of milk and milk products, appeared regularly on TV as the ‘happiest milkman’ in promoting Ashgrove’s sponsorship of the McGrath Foundation.  Became quite the star!

Happened to come across an extensive ‘interview’ article on Springer’s life in football written Tim Pearce. Well worth the read. Many other OVs gain a mention in it.

Click here to read: Lance Spaulding – Football Academic – In and Under